Brisker 2.0: Bears safety set for breakout year in versatile role

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 18 hours ago

CHICAGO - After not playing since the beginning of October, safety Jaquan Brisker is back on the football field.

He should play a key role in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense, as Brisker said he is being used in a lot of packages.

“I’m in a lot of different packages, so I’m studying other positions too, which is perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted. I’ve been waiting for so long. But now, here it go, (which) is good for me,” Brisker said. “I’m going to be close to the line of scrimmage. Sometimes, I’ll be back. But, I love being closer to the line of scrimmage. So, just have me anywhere where you got to account for me, trying to see where I’m at … You got to know where nine is … I’ll be close. I’ll be in the back. I might be outside corner. I might be in the slot. You never know.”

He is going into his fourth season in the league and is hopeful to get through his first whole NFL season without a concussion. In the first five games of the season, Brisker had an interception, a sack, and 40 total tackles. He was on track to have the best season of his career before his concussion that took him out for the rest of the season.

That is why Brisker is going into this season wanting to prove he can play an entire season without sustaining a concussion.

“That I could really just play all 21 games, (that’s) playoffs and Super Bowl. But, really I could play all 21 games and that I’m a playmaker,” Brisker said. “I make plays, I’m a hit, I’m a tackle, cover, make plays on the ball, things like that.”

In the first three seasons of his NFL career, Brisker was playing under Matt Eberflus’ defense. Now, Brisker will have the opportunity to learn from a seasoned coach in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. There was also a change in position coaches as Al Harris was added as the defensive backs coach and Matt Giordano was added as the assistant defensive backs coach.

So far, Brisker has had a positive experience with all of his new coaches as they push the defense to be great.

“I feel like (Harris and Giordano are) both great coaches. They’re both smart and they work together good in the meeting room. They feed off each other. Even on the field, they feed off each other. So, I feel like they’re two great coaches and I’m looking forward to keep working with them this year,” Brisker said. “We’re playing a lot of different coverages and (we’re) in and out with a lot of different guys. We’re rotating a lot of different guys, but it’s fun. It’s fun. We’re flying around and making plays and we’re actually playing faster than I think they thought. (So), I feel like we’re in a good position.”

Along with the coaching changes, Chicago also made a big move in the offseason, signing veteran defensive lineman Grady Jarrett. Jarrett is well known for his energy and trash-talking.

This is something he has already brought to Chicago’s training camp, as he has been talking trash to the offensive linemen.

“The first day, he was talking a lot of stuff (to the) offensive linemen and we heard it. I heard it,” Brisker said. “I was like, ‘Oh s***.’ I’m like damn. I like it though. I like (that) he was talking a lot and I definitely heard it. He’s like, ‘I’m no rookie.’ (and) I’m like, ‘Alright, I like that. Let’s go.’”